Comments on: How much does the skin absorb?

By: Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:06:18 +0000

Kudos for such a great discussion with no name calling and just interested people talking about this discussion.

I just read the EWG study (http://www.ewg.org/node/26954) that has been mentioned several time in this comment thread. The study clearly states that there was NO statistical correlation between use of product and chemicals in urine or blood.

Quoting from the study:

“Extensive analysis revealed no statistically significant correlations between participants’ contaminant levels and recent (daily or within
24 hours) or overall product usage for each chemical under study. In addition, no correlations were noted between body levels and exposures for chemical families, or for body levels of musks, phthalates, or
diethyl phthalate specifically and exposures to “fragrance” in cosmetics.”

So, while the information in the study is interesting reading, there is no correlation (as reported in the body of the study in two separate places) proving use of product and chemicals in blood and urine.

By: Rosemarie

Rosemarie — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:59:19 +0000

Skin does absorb some substances.That is why transdermal patches and gels work.

By: Aesthete

Aesthete — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:25:45 +0000

64. David-the perfect answer.

By: Amy Warden

Amy Warden — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:15:38 +0000

@joanne – I’m not sure how one could measure it…from the responses I’ve received so far on this subject it seems that there are plenty of factors involved that might affect how any substance is absorbed into the skin.

By: joanne

joanne — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:48:37 +0000

how deep does the average human skin absorb water into it in terms of millimetres?

By: Marcus

Marcus — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:28:31 +0000

It’s funny how people give out comments like “why can’t we put cough syrup in our skin?” or “does lotion get absorbed and goes to my blood?” Our skin does absorb chemicals. As for the cough syrup thing, medicines have different routes of administration depending on their purpose. If you want quick acting effects, medicines are given through sublingual(under the tongue), buccal (inside of the cheek) or better yet intravenous. For long and slow absorption, subcutanenous or skin patches. So if you have a cough and rubbed cough syrup on your skin, probably you’ll feel better before the levels of the medicine in your blood reaches its therapeutic level.

By: SK

SK — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 19:21:49 +0000

Hi and thanks for such a nice topic of discussion and research .. I totally believe that skin absorbs high amount of components applied topically it surely depends on the SIZE of molecules applied and their FREE nature and BINDING with rest of its components..
If it does not as some do not believe then the whole idea of facials masks is defied .. Any obviously the patches , abortion pills which are taken sublingually reach into blood stream readily .. Anyways thought provokotive yet interesting and nice !!

By: Amy Warden

Amy Warden — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:51:52 +0000

Wow, Jen! You have an incredible story – thank you for sharing it with us! There is so much that we take for granted…

By: jen

jen — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:43:21 +0000

I believe I experienced some type of toxic chemical poisoning that has had a major impact on my ability to tolerate many types of fabrics, cosmetics, soaps, etc. Because I seemed to develop an increased sensitivity to so many things in my environment at one time, it is difficult to know what initially sparked the problem. I not only experienced many types of skin sensitivities/breakouts, but have often felt foggy or confused, and have had more hair fall out than I have previously. I feel a sensitivity to toxins in the air as well. These problems crept into existance so slowly, it took a long time to figure out something was up. In retrospect, it must have begun a year or two ago or perhaps much longer. I feel very strongly that the aluminum in my deoderant has been a major factor. Aluminum is a toxin that must build up in the body. Studies show alzhemier’s patients had elevated levels of aluminium in the brain. I have read studies that indicate it is the aluminum in combination with other chemicals, such as floride in toothpaste, that helps sluminium travel to the brain. More recently, I have figured out ways to avoid irritants and things I can do to be more comfortable. I switched from a memory foam mattress to a geniune latex mattress. I switched from high quality cotton sheets to 100% bamboo sheets. After experiencing immediate relief and unbelieveable comfort from my bamboo sheets, I began looking for other bamboo items. Bamboo towels, washclothes, and even lotions and creams containing bamboo. Since I have made these changes and many more (avoiding parabens, using all AVEDA products for body, hair, and cosmetics, etc.) I have experienced significant improvement. It has opened my eyes to how out of balance I have really been feeling for the past few years. I was told I had fibrystic breasts and have been referred to diagnostic’s for mammograms, ultra sounds, etc at least a few times a year since my mid to late twenties. (Just the past few years. Same ammount of time I noticed chemical sensitivities, etc.) I have had multiple biopsies, and have had areas in my breast asperated, and have a lot of breast cancer in my family history. (My mom, grandmother, paternal aunt, etc.) I am a thin framed person with disproportionately large breasts. My doctor has said that the ultra sounds are needed because my breast tissue is too dense for the mammogram to pick up problems. They said I still needed both ultra sounds and mammograms because I have calcifications on both sides. With each problem, each tissue sample removed, they have left a small piece of titanium or something as a marker. So they can go back and check the same place later. The areas that I have needed biopsies run along the side of my breast nearest to my underarm. And some places of the lower outer area. Since removing certain additives from my environment, avoiding chemicals, and most importantly, changing the products I use on my skin, I have noticed a difference in the number and size of places in my breast tissue that feel abnormal or slightly harder. My breasts seem a bit less swollen and sore as well. I QUIT USING MY REGULAR DEODERANT AND HAVE NOT HAD TO ENDURE ANOTHER NERVE RACKING BIOPSY SINCE. And I don’t stink! There are natural alternatives. When I bathe with products like AVEDA, I feel like my body feels cleaner inside and out. My bamboo sheets and geniune latex bed are also freakin’ incredible. It took me forever to find 100% bamboo sheets, but finally found some at a reasonable price at Tuesday Mornings. If your worried about what you put on your skin, you should be. The fact that we don’t know exactly what toxins can travel through our skin and into our bloodstream isn’t an excuse to plead ignorance and avoid making changes. The fact that we know for a fact some toxins can and do travel into our bodies and poison us, should be more than enough to motivate change. I use to use all kinds of chemicals, loved to try every product, cleaned with bleach, the works. But by the time you notice a problem in yourself, it may be too late.

By: fsdfds

fsdfds — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:53:42 +0000

Well it is a fact that skin can absorb sunscreen